October 2023 Membership Update | |
Volunteers
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our Club. We could not exist without them. This year I can name at least 120 individuals that have donated their time and effort to make this an enjoyable place for our almost 800 members in total.
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The ways they help are so varied, and so appreciated. They stepped up big to help host the 2023 USBF Nationals. Of course, we can't show enough appreciation for our volunteers that make our delicious tortellacci. The members that run our leagues put in a lot of time over many weeks to make sure all enjoy their bocce play. We are so grateful for our bartenders that keep the bar open and the drinks coming. So many contribute in different ways to keep our 50+ year facility and world-class courts maintained and looking beautiful. Our member events entertain all of our membership, but are organized by a small handful of people. There are also volunteers behind our website, newsletters, social media, emails, and Club cookbook. And our board members keep it all running and ensure we are respecting our legacy while looking ahead to the future.
This month we are having a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for all of our volunteers as a small show of appreciation for all they do for our Club. If you are one of our 2023 volunteers, you have my sincere gratitude. If you aren't, talk to me about how you can get involved in the future!
Tom Holleman
President
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2023 Elections
Our official election day is Sunday, November 12, 2023. The board positions up for election are below.
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President (currently held by Tom Holleman)
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Recording Secretary (currently held by DeeDee Niebling)
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3 of the 7 Trustee positions (currently held by Lenny Innocenzi, Bruce Bertucci, and Miles Russell)
We encourage members who would like to share their time, knowledge, and experience to consider running for office. Each of the incumbents does have the option to run again. To run for a position on the HBC Board, you must be a current paid member and have also been a member for at least one year at the time of the election unless an exception is approved by the majority of the Board of Trustees per the eligibility requirements in our bylaws.
Please send your request to be a candidate for one of these positions to any of the following. All candidate requests must be received by 10/12.
- Email our to-be-appointed election supervisor at [email protected].
- Put your name on the bulletin board at the entrance to the club.
- Email any member of the board and copy the email address [email protected].
- Mail to the club at Election Supervisor, Highwood Bocce Club, 440 Bank Lane, Highwood, IL 60040. (Please allow time for delivery if sending via postal mail; if it is not received by October 12, 2023, the request will be rejected.)
Watch your email for additional details about candidate forums and election procedures.
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New Board Appointment
Due to the combination of competing family & work commitments, Tim Tolari has regretfully resigned from the board. We thank him for the time he served! With the Trustees' unanimous approval, President Tom Holleman appointed Steve Thornberry as a new Trustee. Steve's term runs through December 2024.
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Club Championships Underway
The annual club Championship tournaments are nearing completion! The tournament allows individual players to showcase their skills and enjoy friendly competition. The Men's Championship match will be played on Friday, October 13th at 7:00p.m. The Women's Championship match will be played at the same time or sometime shortly after.
As of October 1, 2023, we are down to the final four men - Tom Holleman vs. Todd Mikell and Anthony La Barbera vs. Miles Russell. The final four matches will be played this week. Lauren McDermott and Brigid Reidy have qualified for the final four of the women's tournament, but the 2 other semi-finalists have not been determined yet. Check the poster boards at the Club to see who is advancing and who is not!
Thank you to Steve Thornberry for doing an amazing job organizing this year's competition.
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Security System Upgraded
The fob system that allows access to the club failed and has been replaced. Members will either need their fob re-registered or replaced. It will need replacement if you have an old black fob (pictured on the left). If your fob is grey, it can be re-registered. The easiest way to click this link to request or upgrade your fob. Once you submit the form, your new fob will be available at the bar or your all-grey fob will be updated within 7 days.
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Code of Conduct
A reminder to all of our members, we have a code of conduct that we enforce. Please show respect for the Club, fellow members, and our guests.
All members and their guests will abide by the Club rules and the Bylaws of the Highwood Bocce Club. Members are responsible for the behavior and actions of their guests. The conduct of all members and their guests shall be in the best interest and welfare of all members, administration, guests, and staff while on the Highwood Bocce Club’s property.
Misconduct shall include but not be limited to:
- Any action causing physical damage to the Club and its property.
- Inappropriate or abusive language or physical actions which directly attack a person and/or group.
- Default in payment of dues, initiation fees, or any other money owed to the Club.
Also a reminder no drinks are allowed on the courts at any time and players must wear flat, clean, rubber-soled shoes other than the ones they came in with.
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October
16 | 6:30 p.m. Volunteer Recognition Dinner
22 | 3:30 p.m. General Membership Meeting & Candidate Forum
27 | 6:30 p.m. Fish Fry and Comedy night
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November
12 | HBC Board Elections
17 | 6:30 p.m. Dinner and Bingo!
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December
3 | Children's Christmas Party
15 | Christmas dinner and holiday sing along
31 | New Year's Eve Gala
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Congratulations to the Glutes Inc and the Highwood Bocce Club teams for taking the Gold (Glutes) and Silver (HBC) medals at the 2023 ABC Open at Palazzo di Bocce in Lake Orion, Michigan, the weekend of September 9th. The 8 members of the Highwood Bocce Club battled in the finals after outlasting 33 other teams from across the country in the tournament's premier Gold division. Pictured above: Glutes Inc: Julian Batula, Anthony La Barbera, Mario Dato, and Vanessa Garippo. Team HBC: Vito Buonsante, Danko Dykyj, Rob Bertoncini, and Keith Young | |
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League Updates
Due to continually increasing demand for our leagues, the board has approved some changes for 2024 in order to better enable access to our leagues by all of our members.
- Members will be limited to participate in no more than 2 leagues at any one time. This will only affect a handful of members, but it will help free up some spots for others. Exceptions will be made when there are no other members to fill a league spot.
- We will create and publish a full year league calendar so membership can better understand when leagues are scheduled throughout the year.
- League related announcements will be made more holistically, so members can better understand their choices when determining which league they'd prefer to participate in.
- Schedules for mixed leagues (e.g. Tuesdays and Sundays) will be synchronized, making it easier to manage the member participation between them.
The Thursday Summer Indoor league just finished, the Thursday Outdoor league concludes this week, and the new Tuesday Mixed league recently began. We will soon be announcing a Sunday Mixed League to begin October 22nd. Those that could not get into the Tuesday Mixed league will be given priority.
The Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday Men's leagues will begin the first week of November. Those three leagues are team invite only.
The Thursday afternoon Pick-Up League is available to all members (and guests) whenever they would like to participate.
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Thursday Night Summer Indoor League
Congratulations to Team Boylan (Carla Boylan, Paula Perrelli, Bianca Ori, Karen Palmieri, Mike Ronzio, and Leslie McGregor) who battled Team Innocenzi in 3 close matches to win the Thursday Summer Mixed League. This was a league with many new and beginner players. Thanks to all who participated, and for being helpful, patient, and welcoming to all the players!
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Thursday Afternoon Pick-Up League
Our afternoon pick-up bocce games are resuming on Thursday afternoons. No need to sign-up in advance, just show up and play! Schedule: Check in and warm up 12:00 PM, games start at 12:30 PM
Open To: Players of all skill levels
Cost: $5 for members, $10 for non-members
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Club Events Calendar Online
A comprehensive club calendar showing all member events and league dates is now available on the website. The calendar also shows when private events are scheduled so members can understand court and club availability.
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Operating Hours
All members have access to the
Club via their key fob from
6 a.m. to 10 p.m., 7 days a week.
Bar Hours
The bar welcomes members from 6:30 p.m. to closing (usually between 10-12 p.m.) Monday - Saturday, Sunday hours 12-6 p.m.
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Club Rule Reminder
As a reminder to members bringing your own liquor to the Club is not allowed due to liability risks. This is true regardless if the bar is open or closed. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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Stay Up-to-Date
The bulletin board in the cardroom and the digital display in the court area are updated regularly with membership, financial, memorial, and business information.
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Plan Your Event
The Club is a great place to host a party with excellent food, reasonable rates, and attentive service. The Banquet Room has recently been repainted and is ready to welcome your group. Donna Pieracci is the primary point of contact for booking parties. She and her staff handle all aspects of party planning, menu selection, set-up, etc.
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The Club recently welcomed the following new members:
Quinn Epstein
Ida Fiore
Photios & Katharine Frangos
Lisa Giardina
Tom & Jeanne Morizio
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The Club honors the memories of our members and their loved ones.
The bulletin board in the card room has space to place memorial cards, and news of a loss can be shared with Peter Pieracci who will share the information with our members.
Frank S. Saliba
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Officers
President
Tom Holleman
Vice President
Mary Ann Pedersen
Treasurer
Heidi Peddle
Recording Secretary
DeeDee Niebling
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Trustees
Frank Bacci
Bruce Bertucci
Lenny Innocenzi
Frank Lomoro
Peter Pieracci
Miles Russell
Steve Thornberry
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